Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena during Sunday's abandoned race day. Photo / Photosport
Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena during Sunday's abandoned race day. Photo / Photosport
There is no such thing as a wasted day in the America's Cup.
That was the message from Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena on Sunday evening after a day of sitting and waiting for races that never started.
Luna Rossa and Team New Zealand were scheduled to sail races sevenand eight of the Cup match on Sunday, but with the wind holding below the 6.5-knot limit during the two-hour racing window, it seemed to be a day of simply sitting, waiting, wishing, before the call was ultimately made to give up on the day.
However, while there was little action for the fans in the America's Cup village and those making up the spectator fleet to enjoy, it wasn't a lost day for the teams.
"It's always good to go out on the water," Sirena explained to the Herald.
"We know when you are in the bottom of the limit you could race or not. Today we were struggling for the sea breeze to fill in, so we knew it was a marginal day in these conditions, but we're always learning.
"We tried a few different entries in the box at the pre-start just to make sure we were ready with the setup of the boat. Every time you go out on the water, if you don't race, you learn something, so it's positive."
Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena during Sunday's abandoned race day. Photo / Photosport
Given the conceptual nature of the AC75 class being raced in this edition of the Cup, the teams have constantly stressed the importance of understanding the class and how to get the best performance out of it, and while the delay on Sunday wasn't fan-friendly, it did give both teams the chance to inspect their setups and look for ways they could potentially get more speed out of their boats.
With no racing on Sunday, the ledger remains at three wins each in the first-to-seven Cup match. While the past few days have seen light conditions, more wind is expected on Monday and racing should be able to get under way on time.
"Tomorrow conditions should be good," said Sirena.
"We should be able to race, so let's see what's going to happen."
The teams are scheduled to compete in two races every day until a winner of the regatta is found. The earliest that can be achieved is now Tuesday, and the latest Thursday – provided no more days are abandoned due to the conditions.
Heading into the Cup racing?
• Give yourself plenty of time and think about catching a ferry, train or bus to watch the Cup.
• Make sure your AT HOP card is in your pocket. It's the best way to ride.
• Don't forget to scan QR codes with the NZ COVID Tracer app when on public transport and entering the America's Cup Village.
